We took the train from Dublin to Killarney and dragged our bags across town to Ashville House B&B.
We took three days to explore the unusually well-maintained parks and monuments around Killarney. The landscaping was immaculate despite this being the middle of what the locals considered a drought. Each evening we would wander the town until we discovered a new restaurant. Our dinners all proved more than adequate.
A highpoint were the frequent views across the Lakes of Killarney to the highest mountains in Ireland, MacGillicuddy's Reeks.
Ross Castle stands on a peninsula. We would begin our Kerry Way adventure on a boat launched from below the castle walls.
Muckross Friary is a romantic ruin on the grounds of Muckross House.
Muckross House itself contains restored halls and exhibits as well as tea rooms. The lawns stretch far around the house and down to the lake. We passed a wonderfully quaint gate house to one side.
This was our longest walk around Killarney at almost 16 miles, and we returned to Ashville House B&B quite worn out to prepare ourselves and our luggage for the start of the main attraction in the coming morning.
Full photo album for Killarney and Surroundings